Film Comment's End-of-the-Decade Critics' Poll

This past fall, Film Comment conducted an international poll of critics, programmers, academics, filmmakers, and others to identify the top films and filmmakers of the decade. In addition, we asked participants to select the individual (or thing) that cast the longest shadow across the last 10 years, for better or for worse, and the film that most decisively defined the “Aughts,” followed by brief explanatory statements. Forthwith is the extended version of the decade’s top films—the rest of the best. To read more from our respondents—including comments, films and filmmakers of the decades, and personal lists—grab a copy of the January/February 2010 issue! Extended readers’ poll results and comments here. Point totals are in bold.

1. Mulholland Drive David Lynch, U.S., 2001 2808

2. In the Mood for Love Wong Kar Wai, Hong Kong, 2000 2687

3. Yi Yi Edward Yang, Taiwan/Japan, 2000 1833

4. Syndromes and a Century Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Thailand/Austria/France, 2006 1738